The state of Wyoming has approved legislation that protects its residents from being required to disclose their private keys. It now just needs the Governor’s signature to become law after being passed by the state Senate and House of Representatives.

The bill reads:

No person shall be compelled to produce a private key or make a private key known to any other person in any civil, criminal, administrative, legislative or other proceeding in this state that relates to a digital asset, digital identity or other interest or right to which the private key provides access unless a public key is unavailable or unable to disclose the requisite information with respect to the digital asset, digital identity or other interest or right.

The bill does not state that it would solely apply to Bitcoin keys, therefore it would also apply to private keys used for other use cases, such as decentralized identities. Senator Cynthia Lummis’ strong support for Bitcoin and regulation have contributed to Wyoming’s focus on Bitcoin adoption in the U.S.

If passed by the governor, the bill would go into effect on July 1st, 2023.

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